Wilson the hero at both ends as wily Brighouse bounce back

Brighouse Town got their season back on track by edging a battle royale on Bank Holiday Monday.

Having had their Boxing Day fixture at Ossett postponed due to the weather, and following a 5-1 mauling at Witton Albion in their previous game, the Town line-up showed several changes, including a new face in Ben Atkinson, on loan from Curzon Ashton.

The changes proved effective as substitute Adam Wilson bagged a late winner to seal maximum points for Paul Quinn’s Town.

It was jet-propelled action from the off on a heavy, but lush green surface, in front of a big festive crowd and Town had their first shot on target shot after six minutes from Isaac Baldwin but he hit the side-netting.

In the ninth minute, Boro’s leading goalscorer Thomas Corner missed a wide open goal to Town’s relief as he chipped the ball over the crossbar.

Town had another attempt to score in the 18th minute through Ryan Hall but he just shot wide. Play was going from end to end with both goalkeepers, – Town’s Paul Hagreen, recalled to the side, and Boro’s Patrick Weaver – being called into action.

The visitors had another good chance in the 28th minute with long-serving goalscorer Ryan Blott just sending the ball wide.

Three minutes later and there was more pressure on the Town goal with lively winger Alex Metcalfe put clear on goal and firing inches wide.

In the 32nd minute, Ernest Boafo broke before playing through Hall, who was unable to retain control of the ball.

It was all to play for on 45 minutes as the teams headed in for a break to loud applause and cheering from the sizeable away following in the 348 crowd.

Town opened their account through a stroke of fortune in the 47th minute.

Kurt Harris fired in a cross which found Hall’s head only for Boro’s Peter Davidson to turn the ball into his own net when trying to clear.

The assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside but referee David Storrie over-ruled the decision and awarded the goal.

The visiting players were incensed and surrounded the match official and it took 90 seconds for play to resume.

Then in the 53rd minute Town’s Atkinson was booked for a sliding tackle on visiting captain and caretaker player-manager Matthew Bloor, who had replaced joint chiefs Bryan Hughes and Paul Foot the day before Christmas Eve.

In the 68th minute, Scarborough were reduced to 10 men when Bloor was shown the red card for goading the referee for almost every decision he made.

However, two minutes later, Scarborough hit back and levelled the scores when substitute Jamie Forrester unleashed a blistering and swerving 35-yarder which beat unsighted goalkeeper Hagreen.

In the 74th minute, Paul Robson was booked for a professional foul on Kurt Harris followed four minutes later by Town’s Martin Allison for his tackle on Davidson.

Town then brought on fresh legs in the 79th minute with Haigh replaced by Wilson, as they began to search for the winning goal against the 10 men.

Baldwin shot wide from a corner, before in the 84th minute, the breakthrough arrived.

From a corner, Hall’s shot ricocheted into the path of Wilson, who placed the ball into the back of the net.

Three minues into stoppage time, goalscorer Wilson stopped the Scarborough attempt to equalise as he headed the ball away in the six-yard box when it looked certain they would level.

It was a welcome relief for Town when the whistle was blown and another three points had been claimed.